Public Health Interventions Targeting Loneliness in University Students: A Scoping Review of Intervention Types and Implementation Strategies
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Loneliness is an increasingly recognised public health concern among university students, with implications for mental health, academic engagement, and overall wellbeing.Although interventions addressing loneliness in higher education have expanded, the evidence base remains scattered across different disciplines and implementation approaches.To date, no comprehensive synthesis has examined the range of interventions, their conceptual foundations, implementation strategies, or outcome measures in this population.The aim of this review is to explore how loneliness is addressed through public health interventions targeting university students.Specifically, the review seeks to provide an overview of intervention types, implementation methods, and contextual characteristics, and to identify gaps in existing knowledge.The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews, and literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and EBSCOhost, yielding 273 records.After removal of duplicates and screening, 20 studies met the eligibility criteria.Data were extracted on study characteristics, intervention type, delivery mode, duration, loneliness measures, implementation strategies, and key findings.Reporting followed the PRISMA-ScR checklist.Four overarching categories of interventions were identified: (1) psychological and mindset-based interventions, (2) physical activity and mind-body approaches, (3) group-based and peer-based social connection interventions, and (4) digital and technology-assisted interventions.Across these categories, psychological and mindset-based interventionsshowed the most consistent promise, particularly those incorporating cognitive reframing or social-belonging components.These interventions often demonstrated significant reductions in loneliness or meaningful improvements in related constructs such as belonging, connectedness, and perceived support.However, long-term follow-ups were largely absent, limiting the ability to determine sustained effectiveness over time.Considerable heterogeneity in study design, measurement instruments, and intervention intensity further restricted comparability between studies.Implementation strategies were inconsistently reported, though digitally delivered interventions showed potential for scalability and accessibility within university settings.In recent years a diverse range of interventions has been used to address loneliness among university students, reflecting the multifaceted nature and awareness of the phenomenon.Psychological and mindset-based interventions appear particularly promising; however, stronger longitudinal evidence is needed to establish sustained effectiveness.Future research should prioritise rigorous, theory-driven intervention design; consistent use of validated loneliness measures; and clearer reporting of implementation processes.Universities and public health practitioners may benefit from multi-component or digitally supported approaches that integrate psychological, social, and environmental elements to support student wellbeing. Abbreviations AAAAnimal-assisted activities -planned and goal-oriented interactions conducted by the human-animal team for motivational, educational and recreational purposes.AP Adaptive perfectionism -a healthy trait where one sets high standards and strive for excellence, but do so with flexibility and resilience rather than self-criticism.CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative or unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaving.CFIR Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research -a framework used in the health sciences to systematically assess barriers and facilitators to implement evidence-based interventions.CIT Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving -a psychological assessment tool that measures a wide range of well-being constructs in a holistic way.EMA Ecological momentary assessment -a research method for collecting real-time data on people's experiences and behaviors in their natural environment.EQ-5D-5L a standardized questionnaire used to measure health-related quality of life across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.FoMO Fear of Missing Out -temporary anxiety that a person feels when they are concerned about missing out on a rewarding experience that others are having.HRQOL Health-Related Quality of Life -person's or group's perception of their physical and mental health over time.JBI Joanna Briggs Institute -an international research and development organization that promotes evidence-based healthcare.JITAI Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention -a method for delivering personalized support in real-time based on an individual's changing internal state and context.LPSS Loneliness and Positive Solitude Scale -a scale for measuring the positive aspects of an individual's ability to volitionally choose to spend time by him/herself.MBI Mindfulness Based Intervention -a therapeutic intervention that utilizes a mindfulness approach.PIM Interculturality and Mindfulness Program -an intervention designed to improve the mental health of university students by focusing on both mindfulness and intercultural skills.PRISMA-ScR Preferred Reporting Item for Scoping Reviews.PROMIS Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System -a set of validated surveys to measure health status across physical, mental, and social domains.QALY Quality-Adjusted Life Year -a generic measure of disease burden, including both the quality and the quantity of life lived.RCT Randomized Controlled Trial -a scientific study where participants are randomly assigned to different groups to test an intervention.RE-AIM Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance -a framework used to plan and evaluate public health interventions.SCS Self-compassion and Loneliness -a scale that assess how people treat themselves during difficult times.SHS Subjective Happiness Scale -a 4-item scale of global subjective happiness.SMU Social Media Use.STST Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy -a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on improving communication, heal from trauma, and foster personal growth.SWLS Satisfaction with Life Scale -a brief, 5-item questionnaire that measures a person's overall cognitive judgment of their own life satisfaction.TIDieR Template for Intervention Description and Replication.ULS UCLA Loneliness Scale -a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to measure feelings of loneliness and social isolation.WHO World Health Organization -a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to global health.
Author: Ritajoki, Tarmo
Institution: University of Eastern Finland
Language: English
Topic: Student Stress and Coping
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225288938